The debate over whether Minnesota House Republicans acted lawfully when they elected a speaker is headed to the state Supreme Court. Democratic-Farmer-Labor Secretary of State Steve Simon and the House DFL have filed lawsuits to stop Republicans from taking control of the House for the next two years,

The unprecedented start of the legislative session went on with the usual pomp and formality of years prior. As if the Democratic half of the chamber weren’t empty, and the rules on how to proceed not the source of vehement dispute.

Minnesota legislative battle shifted to the state Supreme Court on Wednesday. Minnesota House Democrats and Secretary of State Steve Simon separately asked the court to nullify the Republicans’ actions on the first day of session Tuesday when the GOP convened and elected a speaker without the DFLers present.

Simon’s opinion comes while Democrats are threatening a no-show if Republicans do not agree to a power-sharing agreement.

After Secretary of State Steve Simon sent the House into recess after saying there wasn't a quorum presence, the 67 Republicans present moved to remove Simon and instate Paul Anderson to take the roster.

DFL House members followed through on a threat to boycott the beginning of the legislative session in an attempt to deny a quorum on Tuesday, but Republicans proceeded to elect Lisa Demuth as speaker despite Secretary of State Steve Simon’s declaration that no quorum was present.

Steve Simon and House Democrats are asking for the Minnesota Supreme Court to rule on the issues surrounding Tuesday's actions on the House floor.

DFLers on Tuesday made good on their threat to keep the Minnesota House in limbo as the parties fight over control. House Republicans pushed ahead anyway in the half-empty chamber. It’s all likely headed to the courts.